It’s a very American tradition to visit the pumpkin patch each fall, although it’s more and more common for families to visit make shift patches on street corners or get pumpkins from the local grocery. Here’s how tradition of the pumpkin patch started in America! It’s a good ‘un!
The story of Stingy Jack
It was the Celtic tradition of Ireland and the Scottish Highlands to carve a turnip on All Hallows Eve and place an ember in it to ward off evil spirits. Some historians have them carving out rutabagas, gourds, potatoes, and even beets. Then there is the most excellent Irish story of Stingy Jack who was a miserable old man who drank too much and played tricks on people.
According to the legends, Jack was such the trickster he was able to even play a trick on the Devil himself, trapping him up in an apple tree, surrounding it with crosses (so the devil couldn’t get down of course) and refusing to let him down until the Devil swore he wouldn’t take old Stingy Jack’s soul when Jack died.
Well, when Jack did die he found himself locked out of those pearly gates for being so mean and miserable during his time on Earth. Jack then went to Hell but when he arrived ,the Devil stayed true to his word from their last encounter and wouldn’t let old Jack in. Jack was stuck! He pleaded with the Devil. How he could leave with it so dark?? He would be lost forever!
The Devil must have had a moment because he tossed Jack an ember from hell and Jack put it in his turnip, because you know, it was HOT! Jack left, doomed to walk eternity between Heaven and Hell with nothing but his (Jack O’) lantern to light his way.
Will o’ the Wisp
If you’ve ever heard of The will of the wisp this is what it’s referring to… Will being an old term for torch and wisp being a bundle of sticks or kindling to light a torch…. Will of the wisp… Jack of the Lantern… get it? Is your mind blown a wee bit?
When the Irish arrived in America, it didn’t take long for them to figure out a pumpkin was bigger and easier to carve then the turnip. And our country being the melting pot it is, other legends from other cultures were blended as well. In 1820 Washington Irving penned the Tale of Sleepy Hollow in which a shattered Jack O Lantern is found next to Ichabod’s hat.
Walt Disney gave a great rendition of the story and we watch it every year!
Pumpkins Were Here First
It’s true! Pumpkins were here loooooooong before the Mayflower and there were oodles of them!
READ ABOUT COLONIAL AMERICAN HALLOWEEN TRADITIONS HERE
Today’s Jack O Lantern
Fast forward to today where carving the pumpkin and lighting it on Halloween night is more of a fun family event then a spiritual activity. But it all starts with the tradition of the pumpkin patch! Gotta pick out that perfect pumpkin!
Visiting the Pumpkin Patch
One of our favorite things to do this time of year is the tradition of the pumpkin patch to pick our pumpkins. We used to only get one but as the girls got older, they each wanted to be creative in their own way. Over the years we’ve had painted pumpkins, pumpkins with stickers, bejeweled and bedazzled pumpkins, carved pumpkins, shaved pumpkins, simple pumpkins and epic masterpieces.
It’s a grand tradition to let everyone be creative their own way. I am fine with whatever they do, as long as I get to roast the pumpkin seeds inside!
READ 13 WAYS TO CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN WITHOUT THE GORE AND HORROR
Store vs. Patch
Most stores sell pumpkins all through October and if that’s what’s convenient, then that’s where the pumpkins come from that year. We’ve had several years like that when we just couldn’t break away to the patch.
There are also pop up pumpkin patches that happen throughout the city. Those are fun because they usually have other activities for the kiddos like a petting zoo or a bounce house.
But if you get the opportunity, I encourage a trip to the patch! It’s usually a bit of a trek to get out of town but somehow it just means more.
Picking a pumpkin off a vine is something everyone should do at least once. It’s a little more organic and a little more traditional. Usually a farm will have other festive things like fresh apple cider, doughnuts, hayrides or other traditional Americana activities to usher in the fall.
This year weather it’s your child, your honey, or even your pet, consider taking your Punkin’ to the patch! Fall is a perfect time to learn about American History! Here’s a SERIES ON COLONIAL CRAFTS you can do at home!
READ 52 WAYS TO CELEBRATE AN ALL AMERICAN AUTUMN
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I had not heard of these legends and stories before! Great read. I can’t wait to share them and now I need to find the closest pumpkin patch!
YES! Excellent! Well tis the season!
That was the first time I had read about Jack’s story. Now I know 🙂 Thank you for sharing.
Ah a good old pumpkin patch. Can’t wait for the great pumpkin to rise out of it soon!!!
I’ve never heard these stories before and my girls loved them. They are also itching for pumpkin seeds now.
Visiting the pumpkin patch is one of my favorite activities of all year! My husband and I always fight because he wants to get them at the supermarket and I refuse!
Dude! I had no idea about how the jack o’lantern came to be. What a cool story. And I agree with you about going to the pumpkin patch to pick out your pumpkin–it does mean more somehow.
I love a good pumpkin patch and decorating the perfect pumpkin each year. I didn’t know the story of Stingy Jack, but I love folklore like that. And I enjoyed learning how this was an Irish tradition that became unique when they came to America. Great history lesson for today!
Taking the kids to the pumpkin patch is a family tradition! I loved the history behind pumpkin carving!
So glad you enjoyed!
Whoa! I never knew the history behind the pumpkin patch tradition! Thanks for such an interesting story! I have to say, this pumpkin patch looks awesome! I have never been to one, and I have to change that! 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed the stories and yes! For sure go check them out! You’ll love it!
This was interesting-thanks for sharing. We love pumpkin patches-it’s our favorite fall tradition!
I just love it! I look forward to it every year…muddy shoes and all!
Interesting…. I literally had no idea where the pumpkin patch tradition stemmed from!
Glad you enjoyed! I love learning and sharing the stories behind the traditions!
Love this article. I get so much joy with the grandkids at the pumpkin patch instead of buying them at the store.
Excellent! Love that you do! Now you have a story to tell when you go.
I always loved picking out pumpkins and carving them with our kids when they were little…even as teens they loved the tradition.
I hope you still do. It never gets old 🙂
Very interesting – I definitely learned something! Now I’m craving pumpkin seeds too!
hahaha I’m so glad you learned something! Yeah, I’ve been craving pumpkin roll..probably time for me to get baking..
I had no idea what the history was of the modern Jack O Lantern. I’m going to read this story to our kids. They LOVE carving pumpkins, but the younger ones hate touching the insides! (I don’t like it either!) But our 19 year old is “famous” in our neighborhood for her roasted pumpkin seeds. She makes a deal with the other kids that she’ll roast their seeds if she gets to keep half. 😉
Success! Yes read the story…it’s such a good one! I agrees that the insides can get yucky LOL but I am SO impressed with your little entrepreneur daughter! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that!!! I need to get my American Leadership module up on this site so she can download it. She’s the kind of kid it’s geared for!
I love fall and pumpkin patches! Thanks for sharing!
Oh me too! The only reason I’m OK with fall ending is because Christmas arrives 🙂 but fall is truly my favorite.
I officially know more about pumpkins than I ever thought possible. Thanks for sharing!
hahahaha perfect!
What a story behind Jack O’ Lanterns, never knew before. Good to know the difference between store bought too. I usually go to store for convenience but this would be a fun activity.
Isn’t it fascinating? I love all the stories…
Yes mind blown! Never knew that story. I love going to the pumpkin patch with the kids, such a fun day out.
It’s a good story right?
So glad you love a tradition I love too!
We do not celebrate Halloween but still loved getting pumpkins to decorate our house for our fall holidays.
Seeing as pumpkins were a big part of America long before the holiday of Halloween was, I feel like there are loads of reasons to celebrate pumpkins, carved or not. 😉
We have not gone. Love punkins seeds.
Oh I hope you get a chance to do so!
We have great memories of doing this with our children. So important to build those memories with your children.
What a great family adventure, and homemade roasted pumpkin seeds? The best!!
This is so interesting! Going to a pumpkin patch each year is one of my favorite things to do.
And now you have a fun story to share when you go this year!
I love all things fall!! We love to visit pumpkin patches!
It’s a good time, isn’t it!
What fun. I love going to the pumpkin patch with my kiddos – and definitely roasting pumpkin seeds.
Great fun traditions, aren’t they?
Such a fun post! I love that picture in the pumpkin patch!
Glad you enjoyed!
Love etymology and the origins of legends…thanks for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed!